A Publika exclusive

"Why you want to go here?" asked the cabbie who took me in after I waited in vain for half an hour for the bus. "So far and...no taxi!"

I had actually wanted to go to Publika to see the French Art Fair and because Brandie had mentioned that it was pretty artsy. But the cabbie was right--the mall formerly known as Solaris Dutamas is not easy to get to and isn't a place the average Malaysian would think of going to on a regular weekend.

Stepping into it on a Sunday morning, I had a sense of deja vu. What did it remind me of? Ah, museums (which I love). There were no crowds. Some empty spaces. A lot of natural light. It makes you want to put up an easel.

 

The stores are playgrounds for anti-mass production hipsters, as there is a significant number of independents, of which Ben's Independent Grocer is the big daddy. B.I.G. Publika has the most beautiful selection from the supermarkets I have seen in Malaysia. Just looking at the labels made me giddy.

 

Step outside for some verses.

 

Come up to see nearby buildings.

Examination Boards (?)

Masjid Wilayah

Publika is wonderful for families, especially on Wheelie Sundays. If only it wasn't so far...and there are taxis (I had to cross the main street to hail one).

Mimiwiwi

I was looking for shoes at Sungei Wang in Bukit Bintang (a pair of mine breathed its last on Friday night) and left with a new bag instead. Shopping fail it was, but I was very happy with the bag store I discovered on the 6th floor. The brand is called Mimiwiwi and the bags are made in Thailand. I would say that in quality and material, it's on the level of EGG in the Philippines. Most of the bags are RM 40 (P560), which I think is a reasonable price for good materials and construction. Here are a few more designs I spotted on the Mimiwiwi Facebook page.

 

 

Crafters from Art For Grabs @ Annexe Gallery

Passed by Central Market Annexe last Saturday to check out Art For Grabs. Think of it as a live mini Etsy in KL. Handmade crafts are close to my heart, being a lapsed crafter myself. I didn't take down photos or notes, but here are a few you might want to look at. Images courtesy of the crafters.

nuimebynikimachichan.tumblr.com: notebooks, accessories, dolls

sew-fabby.blogspot.com: bags, purses and fabric items

pupurin-shop.blogspot.com: pouches, dolls, and fabric accessories

thedoodleboxlah.blogspot.com: hand-sewn and hand-drawn products

www.etsy.com/shop/nukilan: upcycled and handmade notebooks, cards and paper stuff

Japanese Sunday nights

Start at the basement food court of Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur's mall of malls in Bukit Bintang. Seated on a stool centered around cooks in hakata, watch while your rice meals are cooked before your eyes. The diners don't look Malay, only luck will get you a seat, the price is about the same as any regular meal, but the live performance is an entertaining bonus. The vegetable side dish is good; the meat could use a bit more flavour. A good dinner nonetheless.

On the top floor of the mall is Tokyo Street, rows of Japanese style stores presented as the real thing—light wood interiors, Japanese merchandise, and of course, my favourite Daiso, where everything is RM5 (~P70 at P14=RM1). Kawaii items, mochi and other Japanese staples can be found here.

A few steps away from Pavilion is Uniqlo's flagship store at Fahrenheit 88, possibly the main reason to visit the mall.

If it's late and you're craving for cheap Japanese food, come over to the sushi section at Cold Storage, Suria KLCC, where the day's preparations are discounted at RM2 off. This set of rolls, a meal on its own, comes to little over RM3.

Itadakimasu!

Pieces of home

Less than a week to go before the move. If you know your landmarks, my destination (above) should be easy to guess. [via]

I had over a month to read, paint, play, do the paperwork, and recharge. Whatever happened to the 2012 sabbatical? Don't worry, I'll be productive.

There's no question about it: it's more fun in the Philippines. The next best thing is to bring stuff I won't find elsewhere.

 

Shirts from SM. Reasonably priced and made in the Philippines. Only Pinoys will grasp "why not chocnut" (~P250) but sparkly Manila (~P350) has universal appeal.

 

Three reads: Leon Ma. Guerrero's The First Filipino, and Ricky Lee's Para Kay B (P250) and Si Amanpola sa 65 Kabanata (P300). I did consider the newly released Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila (P500--echos lang--actually P175) but the sensibilities of the new country might not go well with a gay character with a female superhero alter ego. The three books might not exactly be benign either (I will have to read to find out), just not illustrated.

The packing list is changing every day. Edit, edit, edit!

Busan shopping detour

A taste of home in Busan's Chinatown







Souvenir hunting at PIFF (Pusan International Film Festival) Square

Toxics in, toxics out

I'm a cyberchondriac; don't scare me! Watch this.

SM Baguio

Compact and airy, with a view. They've got it all, including souvenirs, at SM Baguio.

The High Cost of Cheap Fashion

I was at Megamall last Thursday and saw the Forever 21 private party. Cheap on-trend clothes! How I wanted to go in. Although I'll visit the store one of these days, I will think very hard before shopping. There's no easy way to be responsible. There's a price to pay, says Naomi Wolf.

Nights are for shopping

....in Hong Kong, that is.

Takes some getting used to, these steps

hawker stalls and tables, Temple Street Night Market

Ladies Market